The Holy Ghost 2nd verse

The second verse of The Holy Ghost further explains about the Holy Ghost.  This verse answers the following questions:

1. What is it called when we receive the Holy Ghost?  And when we are confirmed
2. How do we receive the Holy Ghost?   By sacred priesthood power
3. What does the Holy ghost do?   The Holy Ghost is given to us to guide us every hour.
4. What must I do?  May I always listen to that still small voice.
5. How will He help me?  With his light I'll do what's right each time i make a choice.

Use a picture of a child being confirmed.  Ask each question, one at a time and sing the answer.  Then have the children sing the phrase.  Continue until they know the whole song.  Repeat the verse again.  Now add the first verse.

The Holy Ghost first verse

The song for June is The Holy Ghost, p. 105.  This song talks specifically about the Holy Ghost.  I like to use dynamics as we sing this song to help understand the words.
1st verse:

• show a picture of the resurrected Christ with his disciples
• sing the first 2 lines  (try not to breath between send and The at the end of the first line to make more sense of the statement) 
• Tell the children that Christ made a promise.  Ask them what the promise was.  Sing the first 2 lines again for the answer.
• Why did He send the Holy Ghost?  Sing the first 2 lines again for the answer.
• Have the children sing it with you 3 times, after each time ask one of the above questions.  This helps them remember the words and the concept.
• Sing the last 2 lines.  Explain that Holy Spirit means the same as Holy Ghost, just like Jesus is the same as Christ.
• Ask, "Does the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost ever yell or speak loudly?"
• Sing the 3rd line softly, then have the children sing softly with you.
• Sing the last line.  Ask the children what "testify" means.  Help them understand the meaning.
• Sing the last line with the children a little louder than the third line.
• Put the whole song together remembering to sing the 3rd line softer.

Kindness

Kindness is so important for every child to understand.  A Special Gift Is Kindness and Kindness Begins with Me, p. 145, are both great songs for children to sing often.  They are easy to teach.  Begin by telling the story in the May 2015 Friend, p. 42.  Ask the children if they have ever felt like the boy or the girl in the story.

A Special Gift Is Kindness, you will need:

• a gift wrapped box with the word "kindness" inside
• A heart shape with a musical note on it

Tell the children that inside this present is a special gift that we all can have.  Sing the song.  Ask the children if they can guess what is in the box.  Have a child open it.  Sing the first line.  Have the children sing it with you 2 or 3 times.  Hold up the heart and sing the last line.  Have the children sing it with you 2 or 3 times.  Sing the whole song. 

Kindness Begins with Me, you will need:

• a picture of Christ with little children
• a picture of children playing
• a picture of children helping someone

Sing the song.

Show the pictures.  Ask what is common in each picture.  Help the children see "kindness."

Ask, where does kindness begin?  What should we always remember?

Have the children sing the first line 2 or 3 times.  Then sing the last line 2 or 3 times.  Sing the whole song.

End with the question: "How can I remember to be kind?"

Mother's Day Review

There are 12 songs listed in the index under "Mothers" that would be appropriate to sing at this time of year. I choose 4 or 5 to review each year.  Choose your 4 or 5 to review and use the following activity.

Gather the following and put in a laundry bag or basket:

• dish rag, sponge or brush for cleaning dishes
• laundry soap (a picture or small box or bottle)
• a small shovel for planting or garden gloves
• box of band-aids
• story book (a scripture story book is great)
• a computer or picture of one

Have a child pick one and tell how moms use it to help their children.

Sing on of the songs you'd like to review.

Continue as time permits.